Display stand



c. J. QUILL March 15, 1932.

DI SPLAY STAND Filed Oct. 13, 1930 INVENTOR. GI /476455 d. @U/& L-

Patented Mar. 15, 1 932 CHARLES J. QUILL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA-DISPLAY STAND Application filed October 13, 1930.. Serial No. 488,488.

This invention relates to illuminated pedestals, columns, and the like.

The primary object of, the invention is the provision of a protectivecontainer within which a tube filled with inert gas, such as a neontube, may be disposed to illuminate the container; the contalnerreinforcing said tube so that the former may provide the strength tosupport a display thereon, and otherwise protect the comparatively weakand fragile gas filled tube from injury and also to insulate said tube.

Other objects and advantages are to provide an illuminated pedestal,column, and 1 the like, that will be superior in point of .simplicitinexpensivenessof construction, positiveness of operation, and facilityand convenience in use and general efiiciency.

In this specification and the annexed drawzo ings, the invention isillustrated in the form considered to be the bestabut it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to such form, because itmay be embodied'in other forms; and it is also to be understood as thatin and by the claims following the description, it is desired to coverthe invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein Fig. 1 is a side'view partly in section, of a pedestalconstructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2, is a fragmentary front View of the up er end of the pedestal.

ig. 3 is a side elevational view of a bottle witlh the illuminating tubedisplay therein; an

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view of the top lof a modifiedembodiment of the pedesta Tubes filled with inert gases that are usedfor signs and for other advertising display, are usually mounted on aplate or board, because the tubes are co'inparatively weak and fragileto withstand any load or weight thereon, or any unusual vibration. Theconspicuous and attractive appearance of these tubes renders them verydesirable to be used in display windows, stands, pedestals, and othersimilar devices, where, however,

the illuminating element must support some article, or withstandvibration.

In order to permitthe use of luminous gas filled tubes in theaforementioned types of display, it is necessary to reinforce, pro--tect and insulate the tubes. In my construc tion, for the aforesaidpurposes, I make use of a transparent container in which the tube isheld.

An embodiment of my invention is shown in Fig. 1, wherein on a base 6 ismounted a vertical column. 7, preferably made of a strong tubular glasscolumn, the upper or free end of which is covered by a rigid cap 8,Within the column 7 is disposed a tube 9 which is so bent that both endsof said tube 9 are within the lower end of the column 7. The tube 9 isfilled with an inert gas, such as neon gas, in the usual manner, and isprovided on the ends thereof with electrodes 11. The electrodes 11 areconnected .thru the customary transformer 12 and conduits 13 to a sourceof electricity,'to conduct a suitable electriccurrent to the tube,thereby to cause the glowing'of the inert gas and the illumination ofthe tube 9. The column 7' is also closed at its bottom, and the conduitsare extended thru the closed bottom in such manner as to prevent theescapement of any material from the'column 7'. The inside of said column7 is completely-filled with a soft, semi-transparent substance, such asgelatin, glucose, and the like, which substance provides a cushion forthe tube 9. This soft filler is colored according to requirements toproduce the desired combination of color effect, at the same time itcovers the tube 9; so that the outline of the'tube 9 does not appear anymore distinct and sharp than necessary 1n the particular device.

The column 7 provides a firm, stron pedestal or support, therebypermitting t e use of gas filled tubes in connection with such standardsor the like. On thetop of the cap 8 is a bracket or clevis 14 topivotally support a display plate 16 thereon, which latter is held in anadjusted position by means of a wing nut 17 or the like. Upon the plate16 is displayed the article 18, in an attractive Jnanner.

The modified form shown in Fig. 4, difiers ing at least one openintherethrou h a confrom the aforedescribed pedestal only in respect ofthe tube-9in the column 7'. The tube 9' is straight, but its upper end19 has a return conduit 21 connected thereto which extends downwardly tothe lower end of the column 7 to connect the tube 9 into the electriccircuit.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, a bottle 22 is used as a column. The bottleis so designed as to be an enlarged likeness of the bottle in which theadvertised beverage is sold. The bottle 22 rests on a base 23. In thebottle is disposed a tube 24 filled with inert gas. The tube 24 extendsthruthe neck and top opening or mouth of the bottle and is bent as at 26to a shape of the desired advertisement, such as the name of the productadvertised. The tube 24 is rebent at 27 to extend again thru the neck ofthe bottle and be returned to the bottom of said bottle 22. Thus bothelectrodes 28 of the tube 24 are adjacent the bottom of said bottle orcontainer, to be connected to a transformer 29 mounted on the base 23which in turn is adapted to be connected to an electric circuit toilluminate the tube 24 in the usual manner.

The bottle or container 22 may be frosted and colored to the color ofthe advertised product, or it may be filled with a colored liquid, orsoft gelatin like, semi-transparent filler substance to cushion the tube24.

It is to be noted that the same arrangement may be accomplished incolumns and containers of any shape and size, for various (purposes. Thecircuit to operate the gas fille tubes may be either the conventionaltransformer circuit for connection to house current, or it may be asuitable battery circuit to render the device independent of the housecircuit.

It is understood that the gas filled tubes may be supported in hollowcolumns or the like, without the use of any soft, semi-transparentfiller, because the walls of the columns or the like may be frosted, orcolored, or stained, either externally or internally, and such columncan be used with or without the soft gelatin-like filler.

Having thus described this invention, what i I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In combination a transparent bottle, a tube filled with an inert gasdisposed therein, electrodes in said tube; and means disposed below saidbottle to connect the said tinuous tube filled wit inert gas aving itsends extended through said opening into said container, the portion ofthe tube outside of the container being curved into theshape of adisplay, electrodes on the ends of the tube, and means of connection toconnect a source of electricity to said electrodes.

3. In combination a container simulating an article to be advertised; aluminous tube supported in said container being extended outside thecontainer and formed with curvatures to represent an advertisingdisplay, and means to connect said luminous tubes to a source ofelectricity.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at an Francisco,California, this 11th day of April, 1930.

CHARLES J QUILL.

electrodes to a source of electricity to cause 4 the glowing of saidinert gas and to illuminate said bottle, said tube extending thru theneck and openin of the bottle and be- 1ng bent and rebent into the shapeof a dis-. play and rebent to return thru said bottle, said connectingmeans extending thru the lower portion of the bottle.

2. In combination a container formed to simulate an article to beadvertised, and hav-

